Apparatus for cleaning paint roller covers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for cleaning a paint roller cover in which a paint thinning fluid spray is directed at an angle to the paint roller and roller cover surface causing them to rotate. Paint residue on the roller cover surface is removed by the cleansing action of the fluid and the centrifugal force on the roller surface.

0 1 United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,7394% Kay 1 May 11, 1973 1 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PAINT 2,741,857 4/1956 Linatsas ..134 149 x ROLLER COVERS 3,126,899 3/1964 Caywood ..134/13s 3,133,548 5/1964 Carr ..l34/l38 [76] Inventor: Robert De Witt Kay, 4893 Purdy Lane, West Palm Beach, Fla. 06334 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1971" 1,465,417 6/1966 France ..134 149 [21] Appl 136278 Primary ExaminerRobert L. Bleutge Att0rney-Barry L. Haley [52] US. Cl ..1l34/138, 134/149 [51] Int. Cl. ..B08b 3/02 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..l34/138, 139, 149 An apparatus and method for cleaning a paint roller cover in which a paint thinning fluid spray is directed [56] References Cited at an angle to the paint roller and roller cover surface UNITED STATES PATENTS causing them to rotate. Paint residue on the roller cover surface is removed by the cleansing action of 3,577,280 5/1971 George ..134/138 the fluid and the centrifugal force on the roller sur- 2,938,368 5/1960 Bixel ..134/138 X fa 2,831,488 4/1958 Anderson ..134/l38 1,121,731 12/1914 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Kimball ..134/l49 Patented May 1, 1973 3,730,195

POE/FE) DEW/7714) INVENTOR.

IVTTOf/VE Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the cleaning of painting implements such as are used for the painting of buildings, walls and the like and specifically for a device and method of removing paint residue from a paint roller cover so that the cover may be used over and over without losing its adsorbing and resilient surface characteristics. To preserve the resiliency of the roller cover, it is essential that all paint be removed before it is allowed to dry on the roller cover surface. In the past removing paint from the roller surface was time consuming, messy and awkward because of the roller shape and the difficulty of removing the roller cover when it is covered with paint.- Applicants invention provides a non-complex cleaning device in which the roller cover is cleaned while on the roller while requiring no complex machinery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An apparatus and method for removing paint from a paint roller cover comprising a fluid sprayingmeans,

means for removeably clamping said paint roller axial holding member adjacent said fluid spraying means in a position relative to said fluid spray such that said fluid spray when applied is directed at an angle to said roller cover surface in a direction to cause rotation of said roller, and a means for coupling said fluid spraying means to a fluid source. The fluid spray causes the paint roller cylinder and cover to rotate rapidly about the roller axis while simultaneously striking the roller cover surface and diluting paint residue on the surface. Centrifugal force on the rotating roller cover surface acts to dislodge and remove the paint residue and fluid spray mixture. The fluid spray is continued until all paint residue is removed from the roller cover. The fluid may be water or a paint thinning composition, depending upon whether the paint on the roller cover is water-based or oil-based, respectively. The device may be hand-held with a shield (provided to prevent splashing theparty holding the device) or ground-supported by a frame member. 1

It is an object of this invention to provide a paint roller cover cleaning device.

It is another object of this invention to provide a paint roller cover cleaning device in which the cover does not have to be removed from the roller cylinder during the cleaning operation.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a fluid spray, centrifugally actuated paint roller cover cleaning device.

And still yet another object of this invention is to provide a paint roller cover cleaning device requiring no moving parts.

And further yet, another object of this invention is to provide a method for cleaning paint roller covers.

In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS paint roller coupled to it.

FIG. 2 is a side view of applicants invention including a paint roller and roller cover.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of a portion of the coupling means utilized in applicants invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, Applicants invention generally at-10 is shown coupled to a paint roller 12 having a roller cover 14 encompassing the cylindrical roller housing 16 (FIG. 2) rotatably coupled along its cylindrical axis to the roller axis member 18. The paint roller assembly 12 is firmly but removeably coupled to the roller cleaning device 10 by retaining clip 24 and retaining cup 20, the distance between which are adjustable by rotating threaded key 22 joined to cup 2 0. The clip 24 is contoured to receive the roller axial frame support member 18 and to hold it with spring tension between the clip ends. Clip 24 is fixed to clip support 32 while key 22 is threadably engaged to key support 26. The supports 32 and 26 extend outwardly from and are rigidly fixed to a receiving chamber 28 which is axially parallel to the roller cylindrical axis, and has a plurality of spray apertures 34 in line through the chamber surface in an axial direction. The apertures 34 are positioned to face in the direction of the roller cover 14 but substantially tangentially to a portion of the roller cover surface. Receiving chamber 28 is essentially a hollow tube closed at one end and coupled to a circular female connecting member 30 at the other end. Connecting member 30 is threaded. inside to receive a threaded male connecting member such as is found at the end of a garden hose.

FIG. 2 shows the roller cover cleaning device 10 spraying fluid from apertures 34 in a direction tangential to an upper portion of roller cover surface 14 causing the roller cylinder 16 and roller cover 14 to rotate in the direction of the arrows. A shield 38 (dotted lines) may be fixed to the fluid receiving chamber 28 so that anyone holding the device 10 will not be splattered with paint residue. Also a ground support member 36 is fixed to chamber exterior and has a pointed end portion for driving the member 36 into the earth in order to support the device 10 above ground level. The paint roller handle 40 hangs below the device 10 and may be used to further support the entire assemblage above the ground.

In operation, a paint thinning or dissolving fluid source 46 under pressure is coupled to connecting member 30. If a water-based paint is used the home water supply may be utilized by coupling the device 10 with a garden hose to the water pipe system. The device 10 is either hand-held or supported in the ground. The paint roller axial member 18 is positioned into retaining clip 24. Key 22 is rotated until the cup 20 is tightly held against the roller cylinder retaining screw 42 and washer 44. The water source is opened so that water under pressure flows into the conduit member 28, filling the entire chamber. Water is forced under pressure out of the apertures 34 in a spray directed toward the roller cover surface 14. FIG. 2 shows the spray striking the roller cover at an angle substantially tangential to a portion of the roller cover 14. The spray action thus imparts rotation movement to the roller cylinder 16 and the roller cover 14 in the direction of the arrows around the longitudinal cylindrical axis of the roller. This rotational movement imparts a centrifugal force to paint residue and water on and adsorbed in the roller cover surface, thus causing it to fly radially away from the roller paint cover, cleaning the cover. The spray is continued until the entire roller cover is free of paint residue.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the cup engagement witH axial retaining washer 44 and retaining screw 42. Cup 20 fits over the screw 42 and rests against washer 44 thus allowing roller cylinder 16 to rotate freely. Any engaging means which firmly holds the roller assemblage 12 adjacent the spray apertures while simultaneously permitting roller rotation would be suitable.

Although shown with a water source for use in cleaning water-based paint from the roller surface, oil-based paint thinners and cleaners such as turpentine may be forced through the conduit member and sprayed onto the roller cover surface. Air under pressure may be forced out of the apertures to dry the roller cover after it has been cleaned.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning a paint roller comprismg:

an elongated, hollow fluid chamber having an inlet end opening, a distal end, and a plurality of apertures linearly arranged along the elongated axial direction;

distal end support member connected perpendicularly to the distal end of said fluid chamber;

flexible spring clip coupled to said distal end support;

inlet end support member connected perpendicularly to said chamber adjacent said inlet end, said inlet support member having a threaded aperture therethrough;

threaded screw rotatably connected through said inlet support member aperture, said screw having a cupped-shaped end for engaging said roller; and

water source coupling means connected to said inlet end opening;

said chamber,-said inlet support member and said distal support member lying substantially in the same plane, and

said chamber apertures disposed angularly to said plane containing said chamber, said inlet support member, and said distal support member.

2. An apparatus for cleaning a paint roller, as in claim 1, including:

elongated tapered spike connected to said chamber,

substantially perpendicular to said plane containing said chamber, said inlet support member, and said distal support member. 

1. An apparatus for cleaning a paint roller comprising: an elongated, hollow fluid chamber having an inlet end opening, a distal end, and a plurality of apertures linearly arranged along the elongated axial direction; distal end support member connected perpendicularly to the distal end of said fluid chamber; flexible spring clip coupled to said distal end support; inlet end support member connected perpendicularly to said chamber adjacent said inlet end, said inlet support member having a threaded aperture therethrough; threaded screw rotatably connected through said inlet support member aperture, said screw having a cupped-shaped end for engaging said roller; and water source coupling means connected to said inlet end opening; said chamber, said inlet support member and said distal support member lying substantially in the same plane, and said chamber apertures disposed angularly to said plane containing said chamber, said inlet support member, and said distal support member.
 2. An apparatus for cleaning a paint roller, as in claim 1, including: elongated tapered spike connected to said chamber, substantially perpendicular to said plane containing said chamber, said inlet support member, and said distal support member. 